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I have spent a great deal of time writing articles and blog posts on this website that deal with how to structure a daily fundamentals routine. That is important, and I stand by what I have written. However, it is also necessary to point out that a routine mustn’t become a portal we must pass through in order to be able to play the trumpet. It is so easy for us to become so bogged down by routine, that we never actually get to practicing music. And it is in music that we will still face our biggest challenges, and see our greatest opportunity for development.
When you look at some of the greatest trumpet players — past and present — you don’t always find a long, diligent, unwavering practice routine. I keep thinking about what my trumpet teacher, Ray Crisara, used to tell me about his routine: “I would just show up 15 minutes or so before a session and play through my daily drills. It would take me about 12 minutes to be ready to go. Of course, if I didn’t have 12 minutes, then I would have to be ready in whatever time I had.” This is important to remember amongst a lot of discussion about foundation routines and skill set routines. Just imagine how much music you would be able to play over the course of your life, if you only spent 12 minutes a day on your fundamentals. Sometimes we make this whole trumpet playing thing a lot more difficult and complicated than it needs to be.
It’s food for thought…
I recently picked my horn back up after an eleven year break. Something had gotten into me, and the itch is pretty bad. I know that I have every intention to get back to where I was (skill level). I don’t really know where I plan to go when I get there, but the ride so far has been fairly exciting. This site (which I have thankfully stumbled upon) has given me hope…and that fire still burns. Thanks for a great site, and I will check back often to see if you have any info for ‘comeback’ players. Take care.
Reading Leigh Ann’s comments about her 11 yr. break from her horn she might be incouraged to know I did not play for nearly 40 years. I had gotten pretty good when in highschool. When I picked up my old highschool trumpet & began to play again I sounded really bad! I almost quit after 3 or 4 months of struggling with the horn, but my wife incouraged me to continue & after perhaps 12 months I began to feel skills comming back. More than 5 yrs. have passed now and my skill levels have surpassed anything I did as a kid. I’ve played in many bands locally and love it! Hang in there!
great to know there’s hope after 40 yr’s, and hope my 50 yr’s away will work. Is age against me? I’m 73 and was self taught..that translates “all wromg”. TEXT books have helped lead me in right direction. Notation I have plenty of. Anyone know any good books?thx